When Will Smith will be able to attend the Oscars again following infamous slap

It's almost been two years since Will Smith stormed the stage at the 94th Academy Awards and slapped Chris Rock across the face for making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith - and we're all wondering, will the actor be seen at this year's ceremony?

At the 2022 Oscars, Will Smith celebrated a triumphant victory as he clinched the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the devoted father of tennis icons Venus and Serena in 'King Richard', continuing to stand out today as a shining example of cinematic excellence.

However, Smith's crowning achievement was preceded by an incident that hogged the limelight in pop culture circles for what felt like an eternity afterward.

During his presentation of the Oscar for Best Documentary - won by 'Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) - comedian Chris Rock decided to spice things up with a bit of audience banter.

However, things took a sharp turn when he cracked a less-than-wise joke at the expense of Jada Pinkett Smith, likening her to G.I. Jane due to her hair loss from alopecia. In a jaw-dropping moment, Smith, fuelled by righteous indignation, stormed the stage and delivered a resounding slap across Rock's face. Ouch!

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"Keep my wife's name out of your f***ing mouth," he shouted when he returned to his seat, near enough silencing the Dolby Theatre.

When he later scooped his award, the then 53-year-old apologized to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and other nominees, but notably omitted Rock.

However, the following day, he took to social media to issue a public apology to Rock and the AMPAS. Despite this gesture, on April 1, Smith made the decision to resign from his AMPAS membership, potentially avoiding suspension or expulsion. Consequently, he faced a decade-long ban from attending AMPAS-related events.

"The board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards," a statement read.

Despite being sidelined from AMPAS events, it's worth noting that Smith still retains his eligibility for an Academy Award nomination. Although, considering the situation he found himself in two years ago, the odds of him receiving one anytime soon seem rather slim.

Topics: Oscars, Will Smith, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, Academy Awards

Josh Browne